As-Yet Unbuilt Aeroscraft ML866 Nonetheless Officially Launched

We at GCT have alternately been drooling and wondering about this superblimp, the Aeroscraft ML866. No matter what, it's been officially launched at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) show in Atlanta, Georgia. Disappointingly, you can apparently officially launch...

We at GCT have alternately been drooling and wondering about this superblimp, the Aeroscraft ML866. No matter what, it's been officially launched at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) show in Atlanta, Georgia. Disappointingly, you can apparently officially launch an airship with only a 1/48-scale model. (Clearly, I don't get the concept of an launch in absentia--especially for an airship: isn't a launch when you break a bottle of champagne on the hull?).

Anyhoo, this puppy has a 3,000 mile range over any terrain, a super-luxury ride (can you imagine this thing taking over from the luxury yacht!? So much more eco-friendly!), more than 5,000 square feet, and vertical takeoff and landing...no runways.

We've done a brief eco-rundown before here, but, in short, it uses helium for 70% of its lift, and traditional wing-created lift for the other 30%. That wing-created lift is, of course, caused by forward motion--generated by hydrogen power. Clean!